Report: Mandela Still Experiencing Fluid Buildup in Lungs

Updated Tuesday, April 2, 11:47 a.m. EDT: According to a tweet this morning from NBC News, Nelson Mandela continues to experience a problem with fluid buildup in his lungs and is receiving treatment, after having been hospitalized nearly a week ago with a recurring lung infection.

Earlier:

In a statement released on Friday, South African authorities said that 94-year-old former South African President Nelson Mandela -- who was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday for the fourth time since December -- is making "steady progress" and is in good spirits, the Associated Press reports.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who is being treated for a recurring lung infection, has suffered from similar health problems since contracting tuberculosis during his 27-year imprisonment for fighting apartheid:

The office of President Jacob Zuma released a statement in which it said the former president and anti-apartheid leader was in good spirits after being taken late Wednesday to a hospital in the capital, Pretoria.

"The doctors report that he is making steady progress. He remains under treatment and observation in hospital," the statement said.

"We would like to repeat our appeal for the media and the public to respect the privacy of Madiba and his family," it said, using Mandela's clan name, a term of affection.